# Scientifically Backed Yogurt Studies Meiji Holdings Reveals Benefits of a Specific Yogurt Strain By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-04-20 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meiji-holdings References: [marketscreener](https://www.marketscreener.com/news/meiji-holdings-co-ltd-and-saitama-medical-university-highlight-yogurt-containing-r-1-eps-shows-te-ce7e50d3da8bf02c)  [Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skin-care-yogurt), in collaboration with Saitama Medical University, has announced study results demonstrating that people living with non-small cell lung cancer who consumed yogurt containing an exopolysaccharide produced by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus OLL1073R–1, also known as R-1 EPS — while receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, showed a tendency toward higher objective response rates and disease control rates compared to historical controls. The research was presented at the American [Association](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/southwest-nopales-marinara) for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026. It found that levels of Th7R immune cells, which are considered a key factor correlated with immunotherapy efficacy, were maintained at higher levels in the blood of patients who [consumed the yogurt](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sourmilk), and among nine patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment, including nivolumab, a 100% response rate was observed compared to a historical control rate of 68%. Image Credit: Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.8/10 - Popularity: 80% | Activity: 83% | Freshness: 71% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Microbiome-augmented Immunotherapy:** Integration of targeted probiotic strains with checkpoint inhibitors shows potential to improve response rates in cancer patients by modulating systemic immune cell populations. - **Functional-foods for Oncology:** Fortified yogurts and therapeutic dairy products demonstrate potential to become adjunctive care modalities by delivering bioactive exopolysaccharides during cancer treatment. - **Clinical-grade Probiotic Strains:** Standardized, clinically validated probiotic strains with measurable immunomodulatory effects could redefine regulatory pathways and product development for medical nutrition. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Pharmaceuticals and Oncology:** Biopharma developers can explore combining immunotherapies with microbiome-targeting biologics to enhance efficacy and create new combination therapy portfolios. - **Food and Beverage:** Specialized food manufacturers have an opportunity to develop clinically tested products positioned as supportive medical nutrition for patients undergoing immunotherapy. - **Diagnostic and Biomarker Services:** Companies offering immune profiling and microbiome assays may see demand for companion diagnostics that predict and monitor probiotic-mediated changes in treatment response. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cheesecake-Inspired Probiotic Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/viral-japanese-cheesecake.md) - [Probiotic Yogurt Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joee-greek-yogurt-frozen-dessert-bar.md) - [Mini Probiotic Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-coconut-cult.md) - [Rice-Infused Yogurt Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yogost.md) - [Coconut Kefir Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kefirkult.md) - [Probiotic Protein Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gut-friendly-coconut-yogurt.md) - [Tart Functional Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-living-yogurt.md) - [Nutrition-Driven Yogurt Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/odysea-greek-yogurt.md) - [Fat-Free Bulgaria Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bulgaria-yogurt-lb81-plain-fatfree.md)